Misfire in the wet

[Redbeard]

Second time out in the rain on the ST and this time it was wet roads, few spots of rain and not the deluge it was last time. Anyway, it was enough for it to start spluttering on the way home from the Ace. It isn't like fuel starvation, plus it is fine in the dry. Any ideas? I imagine it will be coils or leads under the tank? It didn't take much to make it run like shite but it got me home 40 miles like it without cutting out as long as the revs were kept high. Previous owner mentioned it and had put what looks like copper grease around the plugs/wires. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

[kas750]

Copper grease?? That well known conductor of elastic trickery?

[Redbeard]

That's what I thought so wiped most of it off after the first time it happened, not sure what it was it just looked like copper grease to me.

[z1bman]

coils plug caps or plugs the rest of the cdi ignition will run submerged in water

[Al]

Could you 'mist' it with a water spray in the dark whilst running to see where its tracking?
AL

[Pigford]

If you're running POD filters - and issue persists, drain carbs

[Redbeard]

Al, my thoughts too, I was riding back in the dark at the time but daren't stop to check it out. I will get it running in the dark and try a mist from a spray bottle to see if I can trace it.

Mark, yeah it has pods so will try that. The damp was minimal this time; drying roads, light spray from exiting London traffic on the A40. Is this the reason for the covers I have seen on bikes running pods?

I need to get it sorted, it's no good having a non-show queen bike in the UK that doesn't like the wet

z1bman, thank you I will focus on these parts. Cheers everyone for your advice.

[Pigford]

Mark, yeah it has pods so will try that. The damp was minimal this time; drying roads, light spray from exiting London traffic on the A40. Is this the reason for the covers I have seen on bikes running pods?

Usually need a fair bit of damp to spoil proceedings! But worth considering it may be a weak point?

[KeithZ1R]

I was plagued with this on the 40th anniversary run back from Germany, it terminated with a rescue from the M62 turned out the Rubber boots on the top of the plug cap had softened with age and although they looked ok where allowing moisture to track under and angry stuff to track out causing misfire at best and complete failure in he deluge we rode home under.
I discovered this with a "rose" fitting on the hose pipe and sprayed em ala rain, then tested the replacements the same way.....fixed. only my experience but you never know

[Redbeard]

Thank you for the help and ideas, I will look at everything at the earliest opportunity.